back from edinburgh!

this is one of the busiest weeks of the year! i'm just coming back from edinburgh, I have to prepare my selfstudy folder for the last class of english and I have to study for spanish final test and other exams.

Let's talk about Edinburgh! How can improove my english  speaking and my english listening ? Going where everyone (more or less) speaks english!   my boyfriend and I went to edinburgh on wednesday for a little study-holiday! in our hostel there were  a lot of foreigners ( from USA; Australia etc) and it was a plesure to have a conversation with them, between a cookie and a pancake. Unlike i expected, words came so fluency.  my teacher was right when he sad that  to improove english everyone have to speak it.  it's very difficult to think in another language when people around you talk in italian. during the trip we met some people  in bars and pubs. while they were drinking a beer, they asked us were we come from, if we were students and other question like these. after the presentation they adviced us some places to visit, the best pub, the best way to arrive at home.  they spoke very fast, but - surprise surprise- i understood everything!
the spoke fast, but not enought.
the best meeting that I had these days was at Dunbarton ( little city near glasgow) with a woman  and her husband. My boyfriend and I were just arrived in Dunbarton station when a man asked us if we were looking for bangpipes contest. We said yes and they came with us. The man was born there and the woman ( his wife ) was born in Glasgow but they decided to have a visit to his parents. While my boyfriend was talking with the man under the rain  (it was so rainy) I improoved my speaking  with that woman talking about my life, univesity, my trips and she told me about her life and her job as a hostess and her trips in Italy.

I konw that it seems to be easy speak about yourself. It seems easyer  than a presentation. I'm sure, not for me. it is more difficult to be listened by someone that is actually intrested about what you are talikng about than to explain to your classmates what you had prepared at home

the to complete my individual study we saw 2 films:
two weeks notice ( with H. Grant, do you know it ? )
pirates of carribean ( a film that i haven't seen at a real scottish cinema without subtitle) it's a very good step for me! if i have to be honest , i didn't understand all of the dialogues, but it's a detail.


ps : it's hard to speak italian when you speak english for 5 days!!

modi di dire e frasi importanti

it mighy appeal to you ( potrebbe piacerti )
overall ( tutto sommato)
otherwise ( altrimenti )
you remaind me OF somebody ( mi ricordi qualcuno )
i took a shut in the dark ( ho tirato a caso )
to look something up and down ( esaminare qualcosa)
wheter you like it or not ( che ti piaccia o no )
help out ( dare una mano )
i couldn't take it anymore ( non ce la faccio più )
to set aside ( mettere da parte )
turned out to be ( risultare )
please join us for lunch!
he arranges (ha fatto sì che )
to keep me going ( per sostenermi )
don't waste my time!
get out of my site!
to get rid it ( sbarazzarsi di )
to turned INTO something
thing can get a whole lot worse ( le cose vanno sempre peggio )
he accused me of lying --> to accuse somebody of + verb+ing

tell the truth and shame the devil

i pride myself on.. ( sono orgoglioso di..)
something comes up ( è successo qualcosa )
it all comes down to ( dipende tutto da )
i wouldn't like to be in his shoes ( non vorrei essere nei suoi panni )
widely known ( non è molto conosciuto )
i couldn't  agree more ( non potrei essere più d'accordo )
i'm dying to.. ( non vedo l'ora )
i would jump at the chance ( lo farei al volo)
i can't say for certain ( non posso dirlo per certo )
it's madness ( è una pazzia)

esercizi online

understand!

it's really hard to write here my improvement. during a class some weeks ago i  understood that i really don't understand english. i thought that  my first problem was vocabulary, but i was wrong. my first problem is the listening. i can't understand a mothertongue  that is speaking normaly. i understan just italian that have good speaking. . i'm sorry but now i have to go. see you  soon!!!

about smartphone

this morning i was thinking about our tecnology( pc, smartphone, ipod/pad)and  how we personalize them. the background is a picture, a photo, a special moment of our live. i think that the picture that you choose shows what you are and what you want to be.i realized that who has him/her self picture needs your attention. this person is insecure, he is looking for someone that says :" you are the best" " whatever will happen, i'll be here with you". nobody will tell you that he needs help.  he is a leader, his best friend is himself, he don't want anyone beside him.
actually he feels alone and he thinks that nobody could be enough for him

Raise on the rock

I was born in a hurricane
Nothing to lose and everything to gain
Ran before I walked
Reaching for the top
Out of control just like a runaway train

I never walked on the narrow path
I always wanted what I did't have
All was not enough
Riding lady luck
Driving in the fast lane and just stepped on the gas

Cause I was raised on rock
My dad was howling but my heart was a rolling stone
Yeah I was raised on rock
My mama said I had a devil to scratch my soul
And I was raised on rock

Shoot me up baby make me high
And hit the jackpot in the heat of the night
Wanna kiss your lips
Wanna move your hips
See my desire in your laser-beam eyes

You shake me up got me spinning 'round
You know what's going up must come down
Tomorrow I'll be gone
A million miles from home
The only road I know leads out of town

Cause I was raised on rock
My dad was howling but my heart was a rolling stone
Yeah I was raised on rock
My mama said I had a devil to scratch my soul
And I was raised on rock

Growing up with the guitar men
Growing up way too fast
Follow the sound of a rock And roll band
This call will always last

Cause I was raised on rock

articles

THE

• when the person or thing referred to is unique: The sun came out and soon we were dry
• to talk about specific things when the context makes it clear what we are referring to : your dinner is in the fridge
• to talk about previously mentioned things: a man and a woman walked into the room; the man was wearing sunglasses
• with superlatives : he's the bravest person in the team 
• to talk a generic class of things : the bicycle was invented about 200 years ago
• with oceans, seas, rivers and desert : she said she'd driven across the Sahara
• with plural mountain ranges and island groups: are the Andes as high as the Himalayas ?
• with continents and countries whose name includes a common noun : he's from The Czech Republic, 
• but he's living in the United States
• Areas: there is a range of mountains in THE north
• With hotels, cinema, theatres : they had afternoon tea at THE Ritz
• With newspaper : The Times, The Guardian, The Indipendent
• With national groups : THE English are mixed race

A/AN

• With singular jobs, etc : she ‘s an architect
• With a singular countable nouns ( mentioned for first time or when it doesn’t matter which one: I’d like A sandwich and a glass of Orange juice
• With there number : 100 1000 1000000 :  he made A million dollars in one year
•  

ZERO ARTICLE

We use no article ( the zero article) when talking about :

• Uncountable, plural and abstract nouns used in their general sense : happiness isn’t the only thing in life
• Continents and countries : they are going to visit Africa
• Mountains and lakes : is Laka Titicaca in Peru ?
• Villages, towns and cities :  San Marco is a pleasant little fishing village
• Streets, road etc : in London there are some good shops on Oxford Street
• Magazines : do you read Tie magazine?
• Illness : I’ve got flu!

To/ at / from  school / university/ college

At home

In/to class

To/at/from work

On foot

By accident/chance

by gossip girl!

give my love to xxxx ---> dai un bacio a, porta i miei saluti a..

let's talk...

i haven't got a clue!
to be perfectly honest i really wouldn't have a clue
i haven't got the foggies idea

take time to think
that's a good question
i'd say

to start : 
i'd start by saying
the first thing i would say

express opinion
as far as i'm concern ( per quanto mi riguarda)
to be honest, that's the
not to mention
in essence

answer
it's not a easy question to answer
good point!
 how interested!
oh my owness
i've never told on that
well, all right
i'm opened to question on this
i'm not enterly sure but
i've the impression that
i seem to remember that
i'm enclined to believe that
in actually facts i haven't got a clue
i'll be honest with you

phraseal verbs

task after ( chiedere di te )
back down  ( tirarsi indietro )
bargain for ( prendere in considerazione )
bear out ( confermare la verità )
bring about ( causare)

Grey's anatomy 1x08

 Listening :

You know when you were a little kid and you believed in fairy tales?
That fantasy of what your life would be  white dress, prince charming who’d carry you away to a castle on a hill. You’d lie in your bed at night and close your eyes and you had complete and utter faith.
Santa clause, the tooth fairy, prince charming they were so close you could taste them.
But eventually you grow up and one day you open your eyes and the fairy tale disappears.
Most people turn to the things and people they can trust. But the thing is, it’s hard to let go of that fairy tale entirely because almost everyone has that smallest bit of hope and faith that one day they would open their eyes and it would all come true

by telefilm

white collar &grey's anatomy

we do it your way
i have no idea
there is something doesn't right
what about prints?
stay out!
give me some advices
i got it! ( ho capito! )
congratulation on...
I'll be back ( ora torno)
all the help that you can get
are you done ? ( hai finito ? )
take care about her ( prenditi cura di lei )
i'm aware of that ( sono consapevole che )
don't bother me! ( non mi scocciare)
to wind down ( rilassarsi ) / to wind up ( innervosire qualcuno)

SPAIN

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/30/eurozone-crisis-spain-pain-editorial
http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2038952/spains-financial-crisis-claims-victim-solar-power-industry

quotations, paraphrasing and summarizing

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.
Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.
Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/563/01/

Anything but you - Civalias

I see the colors in your face like the paintings that you hang
But only you can read your mind
You don’t believe me when I say that your smile makes my day
A little better every time

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you

I thought I had you figured out, well I should’ve shut my mouth
Because now you’ve turned and walked away
I know I promised you a song, and I know it’s been real long
So here’s the heartbreak that you need

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you, but you

There’s a cold blooded wave running through your veins
Straight into your heart
But there’s nothing left to say, oh no, it’s much to late
Because you took it all, you took it all away

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you
I wish I knew it wasn’t true
I can’t think of anything but you
Oh, anything but you

I see the colors in your face like the paintings that you hang
But only you can read your mind
You don’t believe me when I say that your smile makes my day
A little better every time

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you

I thought I had you figured out, well I should’ve shut my mouth
Because now you’ve turned and walked away
I know I promised you a song, and I know it’s been real long
So here’s the heartbreak that you need

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you, but you

There’s a cold blooded wave running through your veins
Straight into your heart
But there’s nothing left to say, oh no, it’s much to late
Because you took it all, you took it all away

And I just don’t know what else to do
I can’t think of anything but you
I wish I knew it wasn’t true
I can’t think of anything but you
Oh, anything but you

Grey's anatomy 1x03

 Listening :

We live our lives on the surgical unit. Seven days a week, 14 hours a day, we are together more than we are apart. After a while, the ways of residency becomes the ways of life. Number one: Always keep score. Number two: Do whatever you can to outsmart the other guy. Number three: Don't make friends with the enemy. Oh, yeah, Number four: Everything, everything is a competition. Whoever said winning wasn't everything... Never held a scalpel.

conditionals

CONDITIONALS

Conditional linking words : if, as/ so long, unless, even if, providing, provided ( that), on condition that, no matter how/ who/what/ where/when

GENERAL TRUTH

Form : if + present simple  + present simple in the main clause

Use : to describe general truth

If there is life on other planets, we are not alone

POSSIBILITY / LIKELIHOOD IN THE PRESENT OR FUTURE

Form : if + present simple/ present continuous/ present perfect + present continuous, future or imperative in the main clause

Use : to describe what is possible or likely in the present or future

We won’t get an interview unless you’ve filled in an application form

Ask Tom  to buy the land no matter how much it costs

If you are watching TV  you will see  him presenting the news

UNLIKELY IR CONTRARY TO PRESENT FACT

Form :  if + past simple/ continuous + would/could etc + past participle in the main clause

Use : to talk about something:

That is contrary to the present facts or seen as very unlikely to happen

If I was/were  twenty years younger, I’d emigrate

If I was/were Prime Minister, I’d make health care free

 Which is very unlikely to happen in the future

No matter how safe it was, I wouldn’t want to travel in space

 I wouldn’t apply for that job unless/thought I had a good chance of getting it

To give advice

I’d write it out again if I were you

CONTRARY TO FACT IN PAST

Form : if + past perfect + would/could etc have + past participle in the main clause

Use : to describe something in the past that could have happened but didn’t , or that shouldn’t have happened but did

I wouldn’t have told her that if I’d known she ‘d tell everyone else

She could have got there on time if she’s not missed the bus

MIXED CONDITIONAL

An if clause referring to the past with a main clause referring to a present or future

If I had invested in that company ten yeas ago, I would be rich now

If we hadn’t been given all that homework we could go swimming

An if clause referring to the present or future with a main clause referring to the past

If you don’t like sweet things you shouldn’t have ordered that dessert

If you have got an exam tomorrow you ought to have started revising by now

http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442621/Conditionals

linking words and phrases

adding a point
as well as
not only
in addition to

developing a point
in addition
moreover

contrast
however
all the same
although
while
even though
despite the fact that
none the less
still
as opposed to
in contrast

explain reasons
as a result
accordingly
consequently
for that reason
in turn

making generalisation
breadly speaking
generally speaking
on the whole

starting
for a start
first of all
in the first place
for one thing

giving new information
incidentally
by the way

concession/ qualification
even so
all the same
having said that

reality
to tell the truth

wouldn't it be nice- beach boys

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong

You know its gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through

Happy times together we've been spending
I wish that every kiss was neverending
Oh Wouldn't it be nice

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true
Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married (we could be married)
And then we'd be happy (then we'd be happy)

Wouldn't it be nice

You know it seems the more we talk about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But lets talk about it
Wouldn't it be nice

good night
sleep tight

good night
sleep tight

good night
sleep tight

Wouldn't It Be Nice

HEY YOU Pink Floyd

Hey you ! out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old, can you feel me
Hey you ! Standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles, can you feel me
Hey you ! don't help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight.
Hey you ! out there on your own
sitting naked by the phone would you touch me
Hey you ! with your ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out would you touch me
Hey you ! would you help me to carry the stone
Open your heart, I'm coming home
But it was only a fantasy
The wall was too high as you can see
No matter how he tried he could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain.
Hey you ! out there on the road
Doing what you're told, can you help me
Hey you ! out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall, can you help me
Hey you ! don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

Altri testi su: http://www.angolotesti.it/P/testi_canzoni_pink_floyd_1591/testo_canzone_hey_you_41842.html Tutto su Pink Floyd: http://www.musictory.it/musica/Pink+Floyd

aisle : corridoio, corsia, passaggio

To fade : svanire appassire, indebolirsi, sfiorire

fade away :svanire

cross fade : dissolvenza incrociata